Abu Dhabi is the capital and second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after Dubai. It is also the seat of government of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. Approximately 1.45 million people live in Abu Dhabi as of 2008, of whom 80% were expatriates. One of the world's largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism. Abu Dhabi is ruled by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the President of the UAE.
Abu Dhabi city is on an island located less than a quarter-kilometer from the mainland and is joined to the mainland by the Maqta and Mussafah Bridges. A third bridge, designed by Zaha Hadid, is currently under construction. Bridges connecting to Reem Island and Saadiyat Island are also under construction.
Most of Abu Dhabi is located on the island itself, but it has many suburbs on the mainland for example: the Khalifa Cities, between Two Bridges, and Mussafah Residential. New developments on islands surrounding the city plan to increase the population of the city by up to 2,600,000.
Sunny/blue skies can be expected throughout the year. The months of April through September are generally hot and humid with maximum temperatures averaging above 40ºC (104ºF). During this time, sandstorms also occur intermittently, in some cases reducing visibility down to a few metres.
The weather is cooler from November to March during which time there may be dense fog on some days. The oasis city of Al Ain, about 150km away, bordering Oman, regularly records the highest summer temperatures in the country, however the dry desert air and cooler evenings make it a traditional retreat from the intense summer heat and year round humidity of the capital city.
The United Arab Emirates is a fast-growing economy: in 2006 the per capita income grew by 9%, providing a GDP per capita of $49,700 and ranking third in the world at purchasing power parity. Abu Dhabi plays a large role in the world economy. Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), currently estimated at US$875 billion, is the world's wealthiest soverign fund, in terms of total asset value.
The government of Abu Dhabi has announced plans to fund a campus for New York University, the first of its kind to be established by a major US research university outside of the United States. The university is expected to receive students by 2010. |
